The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Gaza awaits the return of essential social welfare programs The Ministry of Social Development is expected to resume services in Gaza soon, following its departure from the Strip last year due to conflict with Hamas. Palestine
Ancient, modern cultures still mingle in central Erbil's Ottoman masterpieces Erbil's citadel and grand central market are living examples of the city's cultural heritage, which is both distinctly Ottoman and shaped by its local setting. Iraq
Is the time ripe for ultimate eclipse of al-Qaeda in Yemen? The irreparable decline of al-Qaeda requires Yemen’s problems — particularly political, military and economic issues — to be fixed. Yemen
Palestinian territories stable after Trump plan, but for how long? Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza remain united in their rejection of President Donald Trump's mideast plan but it is unclear in what way they will ultimately express it. Palestine
Despite divisions in wake of Trump’s plan, Israelis & Palestinians labor for peace Israeli and Palestinian peace activists are worried over increased anti-normalization sentiments across the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Europe uses Israeli elections as excuse for inaction Instead of standing clearly by the Palestinians, demanding the implementation of international law in the West Bank and recognizing the 1967 borders, Europe stands on the sidelines. Palestine
Iran controversial director's new political drama lambasted by moderates The new film of Ebrahim Hatamikia criticizing Reformist-backed President Hassan Rouhani was warmly welcomed by radicals, but interpreted by others as an unexpected shift in the controversial director’s loyalties. Iran
Netanyahu fighting over every single vote The announcement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about appointing former Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat as finance minister in a future government was part of his relentless efforts to conquer each and every vote ahead of the March 2 elections. Israel
Iran’s most powerful hard-line clerics to reunite in Assembly of Experts election As Iranians decide who to support in the upcoming parliamentary election, another race will be held concurrently: the midterm election for the Assembly of Experts, which chooses and oversees the supreme leader. Iran
Morocco’s balancing act on Israel and Palestine Moroccans protest against the "deal of the century" and want the government, which recently took possession of Israeli spy drones, to do more to aid the Palestinian cause. Palestine
A song of praise: Netanyahu’s court journalists Over the years, and especially since the 2015 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been striving to set up a more submissive, sycophantic Israeli press that praises everything he does. Israel
What do the Houthis need from Cairo? Egypt made sure that Egyptian fishermen safely returned home from Yemen as Yemeni patients arrive in Cairo for treatment as part of efforts to resolve Yemen’s conflict. Saudi Arabia
